at the age of 35, he was elected new mexico attorney general in 1978. and four years later at the age of 39, elected to the united states senate. during his three decades in this body, jeff bingaman has been a classic workhorse senator as opposed to being a show horse senator. he is truly remarkable and distinctive among senators for his willingness to shun the limelight and share the credit in order to get important things done for his state and for this country. senator bingaman has been a much valued colleague of mine on the health, education, labor and pensions committee, but he has really made his mark in the senate a lasting mark in his role as chair of the energy and natural resources committee. as chair and also at times ranking member of that committee, he has played a leading role in shaping energy policy for our nation, authoring bipartisan legislation promoting a balanced energy portfolio encompassing all energy sources. senator bingaman worked closely with his new mexico colleague, senator pete domenici to pass the landmark 2005 energy poli